BOSS Gary O’Neil praised the response of his players since Saturday’s abject home display against Crystal Palace, insisting confidence levels among the squad remain high.

Following the World Cup break, Cherries have lost all four of their matches, without scoring. The latest defeat came on Tuesday night, going down 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The poor run of form stretches back to October, with four defeats on the spin prior to back-to-back victories over Everton.

Asked how the players had reacted to what O’Neil had described as the worst performance of his tenure on Saturday, ahead of the quick turnaround to face Man Utd, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The boys were excellent straightaway.

“Training (on Monday) I had to actually get them to back off a little bit, the intensity was really good.

“The boys, you never have to question them. As I said after the Palace game, I knew I would get that response.

“My only disappointment comes in that when you arrive in those situations that many times as you do, we have to score a goal (against Man Utd). At this level, you have to score.

“When you play through the shape the way we did, arrive in front of their goal, a header from Philip Billing seven yards out unchallenged, Jaidon Anthony arrives a few times, even the ones we don’t get a shot off from Jack Stacey flashing things across the goal.

“We needed to score a goal. At 2-1 it could have been different.”

Asked if he was concerned by the recent lack of goals, O’Neil added: “Not on Tuesday’s performance, no.”

Cherries’ head coach was later asked about confidence levels within the squad, after another convincing defeat.

“Confidence is fine, that won’t be a problem," said O'Neil.

“We need to win football matches. I use the phrase a lot ‘newly-promoted team’ in a big boy league and it’s ruthless.

“So if anyone came into this thinking there wouldn’t be tough spells, then they’re not thinking clearly.

“There’s been tough spells and the boys have responded to every single one and we will again.”